51AV视频

PM 'reneges' on commitment to protect tenant farmers from solar takeovers, TFA warns

At the now infamous NFU Conference in 2023, Sir Keir Starmer said solar energy infrastructure should not come at the expense of tenant farmers and food production. But TFA chief executive George Dunn said a recent outcome for tenants in North Yorkshire would suggest otherwise

Chris Brayford
clock 鈥� 5 min read
Sir Keir Starmer, at NFU Conference 2023, said: "We have got high hopes for solar energy in our green prosperity plan. But we cannot do it by taking advantage of tenant farmers, farmers producing good British food on carefully maintained, fertile land. They cannot plan properly if the soil beneath their feet is not secure."
Image:

Sir Keir Starmer, at NFU Conference 2023, said: "We have got high hopes for solar energy in our green prosperity plan. But we cannot do it by taking advantage of tenant farmers, farmers producing good British food on carefully maintained, fertile land. They cannot plan properly if the soil beneath their feet is not secure."

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has failed to honour a commitment to the agricultural sector prior to the General Election that solar energy schemes would not come at the expense of tenant farm businesses,...

To continue reading...

Already a member? Login for full access.

New to Farmers Guardian? Register for 1 free article per week or become a member for unlimited access to essential farming news and insights.

article-img-580x358
Join Now

听

More on Politics

From the editor: More worrying news for dairy farmers
Politics

From the editor: More worrying news for dairy farmers

This week from Farmers Guardian editor Katie Jones

Katie Jones
Katie Jones
clock 02 April 2026 鈥� 2 min read
Scottish Election 2026 - Claire McLaren: 'We will give farmers the confidence and certainty they need'
Politics

Scottish Election 2026 - Claire McLaren: 'We will give farmers the confidence and certainty they need'

Scottish Liberal Democrats candidate Claire McLaren is standing for Perthshire North and the Mid Scotland and Fife region at the Scottish Election. She writes on how the party will support farmers and rural communities

Claire McLaren
clock 02 April 2026 鈥� 3 min read
Iran war - Ann Davies: "For farmers, this goes beyond heating bills. When the prices rise, they directly threaten livelihoods"
Politics

Iran war - Ann Davies: "For farmers, this goes beyond heating bills. When the prices rise, they directly threaten livelihoods"

Caerfyrddin MP Ann Davies said rural communities cannot be an afterthought for Government as events in the Middle East start to affect farmers' living standards and their businesses

Ann Davies
clock 01 April 2026 鈥� 3 min read